Memorial pub gig doubles as Hope fund-raiser

JOSHUA BUTLER4 Jul 2014, 8 p.m.

Each July, Belinda Deane's friends and family gather to celebrate and commemorate the life of the former Illawarra resident - but far from a sombre sad memorial, it is always an event of loud music, flowing beers and late nights.

Pete Conran, Bec Machine and Kristy Machine want to do something good in their friend's memory. Picture: ROBERT PEET

Each July, Belinda Deane's friends and family gather to celebrate and commemorate the life of the former Illawarra resident - but far from a sombre sad memorial, it is always an event of loud music, flowing beers and late nights.

The HOPE fund-raiser returns for its 13th instalment on Saturday, with nine local bands to take over Dicey Riley's pub to raise a glass to the much-loved Ms Deane, and raise funds and awareness for suicide prevention.

"A year after she passed away, we wanted to do a memorial gig which then turned into a fund-raiser for charity," said organiser Pete Conran.

Since 2002, the annual HOPE gigs have raised more than $30,000 for charities including CatholicCare, Lifeline and the West Street Centre. Friends and those who knew Ms Deane, who passed away in 2001, have played free each year at venues around the Illawarra. Saturday will see acts including Soiled Earth, the Nasty Folk, Smasheddybash, the Dark Clouds and Massonics play at Dicey's.

"This gig makes a difference each year. People come and tell us they have been in a dark place, and have used the services that the gig raises money for," said Kristy Machine, of band Baby Machine.

"Most people are touched by suicide in some way. It is a bitter-sweet day, because we celebrate the people lost and celebrate people still here."

The gig starts at 3pm. Entry is free, but raffles will be held, charity arm bands will be on sale, and donations are encouraged.